Saturday, June 18, 2016

RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — Even though the Reno Championship Air Races aren't until September, practice starts now. The Pylon Racing Seminars are held every year in June to prepare pilots for the course. They are required to meet a certain standard.

"First and foremost, paramount to flying out here are your formation skills," said Jeff Turney, the vice president of the Jet Class.

The formation is the ability to fly closely alongside another aircraft while still maintaining the same speed. These jets can reach up to 515 mph, and anything could affect the flying conditions.

"Wind has an effect on what goes on out there in the race course, weather, temperature, it can get pretty bumpy out there, so it requires the absolute utmost attention from everybody," said Turney.

The pilots have less than a second to react to any situation that may occur.

A rookie pilot this year is paraplegic, but is completely capable of flying his own aircraft.

"In an airplane, you have pedals and brakes that your legs are operating, so I have to move all of that to a hand control, so there's a lot going on, it's literally a handful," said Justin Meaders, a rookie pilot.

Meaders says he just can't wait to get out on the course with the veteran pilots and go as fast as he can.

"This is literally the world's fastest motor sport, there's nothing faster on the planet, but it's the world's fastest motor sport that has kind of lived in the backyard of Reno, Nevada for many many years," said Turney.

Despite the cancellation of the Navy’s elite Blue Angels appearance, crowds still flocked to the 2016 Vectren Dayton Air Show at the Dayton International Airport on Saturday.

The show featured performances by the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, Sean D. Tucker, Tora, Tora, Tora!, and others.

The Blue Angels canceled in the aftermath of a tragic crash during a practice airshow June 2 in Smyrna, Tenn., that claimed the life of a Marine pilot.

Capt. Jeff Kuss, who flew the No. 6 jet, was honored throughout Saturday’s show. Officials will not give an accurate attendance count until Monday, but said the nice weather and additional performances combated the absence of the Blue Angels.

The show added Redline, a Cincinnati-based two-airplane precision flying act making its first appearance in Dayton, and a single Navy F/A-18 fighter jet demonstration.

Redline pilots Ken Rieder and Jon Thocker flew early on in their aviation career in Dayton.

“We’re excited to be here, and we’re excited to perform in Dayton,” Rieder said.

Betty Byrum of Franklin, Ohio, tries to attend the air show every year. She said the jet team’s cancellation did not affect her family’s decision to come to the show.

“It’s sad, but completely understandable after what happened,” she said. “The show is a great day. You see things you never get to see normally.”

The weather did affect the number of spectators who were treated for heat-related issues. Bill Mangas, medical operations manager for the air show, said more than 50 percent of patients treated there would suffer from heat-related issues.

Mangas said 15 patients have been treated by the medical team as of 1:30 p.m. One patient was transported to a local hospital. Officials did not comment on the condition of the patient or the total number of spectators treated in the afternoon.

Patients were treated for injuries, heat-related illnesses and other issues. The air show has two medical tents staffed with 75 medical professionals from local hospitals. There are also 23 fire departments present, and six ambulances.

“Everyone should really take breaks from the sun,” he said. “Drink water before the show tomorrow and now during it.”

He expects more patients than years past due to the large crowd turnout.

Roger Doctor, public safety director for the air show, said the air show had 40 police officers were on scene, and that security protocols were not changed due to recent events such as the Orlando mass shooting.

No arrests or issues at first day of Vectren Dayton Air Show. More than 10 security personnel were placed at each gate. Guests’ bags and belongings were checked for prohibited items.

“We have one of the most thorough safety plans I know of,” he said. “We didn’t change anything because it didn’t need to be changed. It’s top notch.”Gates open at 9 a.m. Sunday.

Pilots, patrons, collectors and the curious are flocking to the Olympia Regional Airport this weekend for the 18th annual Olympic Airshow.

The carnival-like atmosphere offers an opportunity for attendees to browse vintage planes from the early 1920s to the late ‘50s. The fully functional aircraft are scattered across the airport’s runway, and clubs like the Cascade Warbirds circulate, giving history lessons to incoming visitors.

Longtime volunteer Gaylan Gaither said the weekend’s motto is “Keep em’ flying,’ a term coined by pilots to encourage each other to continue restoration of the wartime planes.

“I just appreciate aviation and everything it offers,” Gaither said. “I live in Washington six months out of the year, and a big reason is to come back and learn more about aviation at this show.”

The Historic Flight Foundation, founded in 2003, is a charity that encourages young people to get involved with engineering and physics. The foundation uses its 14 planes as motivation. This weekend, Historic Flight brought four aircraft, including a Grumman F8F-2A Bearcat.

The Bearcat was produced during World War II, for the purpose of reaching high altitudes quickly — 10,000 feet in 91 seconds — to combat Japanese bombers during attack.

However, the war ended by the time manufacturing of the Bearcat was complete. So the Blue Angels used the Bearcat to tour the country, flaunting it to prospective naval pilots.

The Bearcat in Olympia this weekend participated in the first Reno Air Race in 1964, which is “the Kentucky Derby of vintage aviation,” said John Sessions, founder of Historic Flight. It can reach 430 mph, and is one of nine left in the world.

Another focus of Historic Flight is training pilots to fly the old planes. Many modern pilots learn to manage a plane, not physically control it, as is necessary with older planes.

“Some of the pilots who are flying the big jets really need to learn how to fly without an autopilot,” Sessions said. “Many of the pilots who are flying commercial airplanes don’t recognize when they’re upside down.”

Brad Engbrecht, an airline pilot for Cathay Pacific Airways in Asia, says commercial airliners are only piloted during the first and last 30 minutes of any flight. The rest of the time, the flight is on autopilot.

“The training has gotten away from hands and feet skills and went to more managing on autopilot,” Engbrecht said. “If you talk to the old-school guys, they’ll tell you it’s really a shame.”

Managing a plane means communicating with ground stations and controlling the GPS embedded in an airliner, Engbrecht said.

Before takeoff, the pilot computes a route and the amount of fuel the airliner will need; then the pilot does a manual takeoff. When the plane has leveled out at 35,000 feet, the pilot presses the autopilot button, and the plane flies itself on the designated route.

Engbrecht brought his Nanchang CJ-6A — a Chinese Air Force trainer plane — to the air show. He appreciates how classic aircraft demand so much.

“I fly airliners for a living, so this is a way to enjoy flying again,” Engbrecht said.

OLYMPIC AIR SHOWWhen: Gates open at 9 a.m. Sunday. Opening ceremonies will be at noon, followed by aerobatic performances until about 4 p.m.

NTSB Identification: ERA16WA20714 CFR Non-U.S., Non-CommercialAccident occurred Sunday, May 29, 2016 in Corumbaiba, BrazilAircraft: PIPER AIRCRAFT PA-28-160, registration:Injuries: 4 Fatal.The foreign authority was the source of this information.On May 29, 2016, about 1630 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-28-160, Brazilian registration PT-CFE, was destroyed when it impacted terrain after an in-flight loss of control near the municipality of Corumbaiba, State of Goias, Brazil. The foreign certificated pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The flight departed from an unregistered airfield and was performing local sightseeing operations.This accident investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Aeronautical Accident Prevention and Investigation Center (CENIPA) of Brazil. Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from:Aeronautical Accident Prevention and Investigation CenterInvestigation DivisionCENIPASHIS - QI 05-VI ComarBrasilia-DF, Brazil 71.615-600Telephone: (55-61) 3364-8800Fax: (55-61) 3365-1004dipaa.spai@cenipa.aer.mil.brThis report is for informational purposes and contains only information released by the Government of Brazil.

Location: Colorado Springs, COAccident Number: CEN16LA223Date & Time: 06/18/2016, 1411 MDTRegistration: N678ZAircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22Aircraft Damage: SubstantialDefining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)Injuries: 3 MinorFlight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional On June 18, 2016, about 1411 mountain daylight time, a Cirrus Design Corporation SR22 airplane, N678Z, descended under the canopy of the cirrus airframe parachute system (CAPS) and impacted terrain near Colorado Springs, Colorado, following an inflight loss of engine power. The pilot, a safety pilot in the right seat, and a pilot rated rear-seated passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the impact. The airplane was registered to N678Z LLC and was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area of the accident and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated about 1345 from the City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS), near Colorado Springs, Colorado.The pilot of the accident airplane reported that he was participating in a Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association flying clinic. He departed from COS with two passengers to conduct training in a local practice area located about 15 miles east of COS. The pilot stated that after 20 minutes of air work, at approximately 8,500 feet above mean sea level (msl), he noticed a roughness in the engine and that the oil pressure reading indicated within the green arc but lower than normal. The engine continued to run rough and lose power. Air traffic controllers were advised that the flight was headed back to COS with an engine problem. He said that with the reduced engine power available, the airplane began losing altitude and airspeed. The pilot determined the flight could not make a landing at COS, which was about 11 nautical miles west of the airplane's position, or Meadow Lake Airport, which was about 6 nautical miles north. He indicated that no suitable landing areas were identified and he pulled the CAPS handle. The CAPS rocket fired and separated from its lanyard. The parachute subsequently deployed. The airplane impacted the ground in a nose down attitude. The impact occurred with the aft harness in a snubbed position, prior to tail drop. The airplane subsequently stabilized upright on its main landing gear.The safety pilot seated in the front right seat of the accident airplane, reported that he flew the accident airplane earlier in the morning during the demonstration phase of training and noted no issues or anomalies with the accident airplane. He indicated that his purpose during the flight was to demonstrate and teach formation-flying techniques. He reported that after a preflight brief he held an additional briefing emphasizing that the airplane owner would be the pilot-in-command and is responsible for all emergencies as he, as a safety pilot, was not familiar with the owner's equipment.According to the safety pilot, the rear seated passenger noticed the oil light illuminated before the takeoff run when the engine was at idle. However, the light went off during the engine run up so he did not think it was a problem. The safety pilot related that he had observed his oil pressure light illuminated while at idle numerous times with a warm engine.The safety pilot indicated that the takeoff, rendezvous, and initial formation training were normal. As a wingman, the pilot is usually unaware of the flight's location, altitude, or airspeed. Additionally, he said that a wingman's attention revolves around the lead airplane where you do not have time to monitor engine instrumentation. The safety pilot said, "If you have never flown as a wingman you just don't understand how much you have to trust your plane while keeping your eyes on lead AT ALL TIMES. I even commented on this during the initial 4-hour brief - if you have a weak engine don't fly. When there is a lead change it takes a moment for you to figure out where you are."The safety pilot reported that this loss of engine power during the flight was extremely subtle. At no time did he notice any indications out of normal parameters. The pilot mentioned his oil pressure looked low at 27 psi. The safety pilot asked what was normal but the pilot did not know. The safety pilot stated that the oil pressure and all other engine indications were within their respective green arcs, showing normal engine parameters. The accident airplane had fallen behind the lead airplane and was five plane lengths away on his right wing. The safety pilot said that a slow "pinging" about every 10 - 15 seconds started and that is when the pilot elected to return to the airport. The formation flew as briefed where the accident airplane took over as the lead airplane. The pilot informed air traffic control of engine problem. An intermediate engine power setting was set and all of the engine indications remained within their green arcs. The safety pilot reported that the pinging interval started to decrease and that the engine did not sputter.An air traffic controller advised the flight of bearings and distances to three nearby airfields. The safety pilot stated that with the remaining altitude, they immediately knew they could not reach any of them. He noticed and told the pilot the airspeed was low with an indication of 100 knots while the airplane was at 7,100 feet msl. The pilot told him that the throttle was full forward. The safety pilot immediately transmitted a Mayday call and advised the pilot to deploy the CAPS.The safety pilot reported that the pilot in command would pull the CAPS unless incapacitated, as briefed during preflight briefing. According to the safety pilot, the pilot's previous and overriding training habit kicked as he looked for a place to land. The pilot verified with the safety pilot that he intended to deploy the CAPS and pulled the CAPS handle at the safety pilot's second request. The airplane's altitude was 7,000 feet msl and its indicated airspeed was 80 knots. The handle came out and down. However, it took a strong second pull to get the rocket to fire. The safety pilot estimated that the CAPS deployment occurred about 800 feet above ground level (agl).The safety pilot said that there was a huge deceleration after the CAPS deployment. There was a moment of weightlessness and then the airplane pitched nose down. The safety pilot, in part, said:All I saw was the ground rushing up rapidly. ... We violently impacted nose down. I screamed in pain. It felt as if I was stabbed in my neck and lower back, all on the left side. It took a few seconds to access my condition. Wiggle fingers and toes, move head, etc. When I realized I was alive I looked over at [the pilot]. It initially looked like he was slumped over to the left but then observed him move with purpose. He stated his door was jammed, grabbed the hammer and started whacking away at the forward part of his door window. [The rear seated passenger] ... told me to try my door. It opened, I crawled out and went to move the seat forward but [the rear seated passenger] had already slithered out so I went down the wing.The safety pilot flying in the other formation airplane, in part, said: I observed N678Z deploy CAPS, and informed Approach that I saw a "good chute". I did not look at the altimeter, but I recall thinking that we were very low. N678Z struck the ground within just a few seconds, in a nose-low attitude that I estimate at about 80 degrees. A large dust cloud was raised; the impact appeared violent to me, and I was not sure that it was survivable by any of the occupants.The passenger in the rear seat of the accident airplane helped the accident pilot egress out of the right-side door. The safety pilot in the accident airplane reported that first responders helped deflate and wrap up the chute. After that, his neck started hurting again. The three occupants were subsequently transported to a hospital to be evaluated.

Pilot InformationCertificate: CommercialAge: 64, MaleAirplane Rating(s): Single-engine LandSeat Occupied: LeftOther Aircraft Rating(s): NoneRestraint Used: 4-pointInstrument Rating(s): AirplaneSecond Pilot Present: NoInstructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engineToxicology Performed: NoMedical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/LimitationsLast FAA Medical Exam: 06/01/2015Occupational Pilot: NoLast Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/13/2015Flight Time: 1289 hours (Total, all aircraft), 30 hours (Total, this make and model), 1170 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 40 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 23 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) The 64-year-old pilot held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land and instrument ratings. He held a flight instructor certificate for single engine airplanes. He also held a third-class medical certificate that was issued on June 1, 2016, with a limitation that he must wear corrective lenses. The pilot reported that he had accumulated 1,289 hours of total flight time and accumulated 30 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. Aircraft and Owner/Operator InformationAircraft Manufacturer: CIRRUS DESIGN CORPRegistration: N678ZModel/Series: SR22 NO SERIESAircraft Category: AirplaneYear of Manufacture: 2002Amateur Built: NoAirworthiness Certificate: NormalSerial Number: 0311Landing Gear Type: TricycleSeats: 4Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/13/2015, AnnualCertified Max Gross Wt.: 3400 lbsTime Since Last Inspection:Engines: 1 ReciprocatingAirframe Total Time: 788 Hours as of last inspectionEngine Manufacturer: CONT MOTORELT: C91 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accidentEngine Model/Series: IO-550-NRegistered Owner: N678Z, LLCRated Power: 310 hpOperator: On fileOperating Certificate(s) Held: None N678Z, a 2002 model Cirrus Design Corporation SR22, serial number 0311, was a four-place single engine low-wing airplane powered by a six-cylinder, Continental Motors model IO-550-N engine with serial number 686307, that drove a three-bladed Hartzell constant speed propeller. According to airplane logbook entries, an annual inspection was completed on November 13, 2015. The airplane accumulated 787.9 hours of total flight time at the time of that inspection. Another entry indicated that a Forced Aeromotive Technologies, Inc. (FAT) supercharger was installed on the engine on June 11, 2016, and the airplane accumulated 817.6 hours of total flight time at the time of that installation.According to technical information from the supercharger manufacturer's website, the supercharger is belt driven off the accessory drive, similar to the alternator. The supercharger will run much cooler than a turbocharger and should result in much lower maintenance costs. It will add 7 to 8,000 feet of altitude performance to the Cirrus SR-22. The supercharger's impeller speed is a function of engine RPM and therefore over-speed and bootstrapping are not operational considerations. There are no manifold pressure fluctuations while adjusting the throttle, or mixture. Additionally, according to the manufacturer, after landing idle cool down periods are not necessary and the manifold pressure is limited to 29.60 inches at full engine power.Engine manifold pressure is maintained automatically by an electronic boost controller designed for the SR22 by FAT. The controller reacts to throttle changes in less than one second. The boost controller is not affected by cold oil temperatures or cold take off conditions and will operate quickly to control boost even down to -50° F.The airplane was equipped with an Avidyne Multi-Function Display (MFD). The MFD unit can display engine information, pilot checklists, terrain/map information, approach chart information and other airplane/operational information depending on the specific configuration and options that are installed. One of the options available is a display of comprehensive engine monitoring and performance data. Each MFD contains a compact flash (CF) memory card. This memory card contains all the software that the MFD needs to operate. Additionally, this card contains checklists, approach charts, and map information that the unit uses to generate the various cockpit displays.During operation, the MFD display receives information from several other devices that are installed on the airplane. Specifically, the MFD receives GPS position, time and track data from the airplane's GPS receiver. The MFD may also receive information from the airplane concerning altitude, engine and electrical system parameters, and outside air temperature. This data is also stored on the unit's CF memory card.The MFD generates new data files for each MFD power-on cycle. The oldest file is dropped and replaced by a new recording once the storage limit has been reached. MFD data are sampled every six seconds and recorded to memory once every minute. If an interruption of power occurs during the minute between MFD memory write cycles, data sampled during that portion of a minute are not recorded.The airplane was fitted with a CAPS designed to recover the airplane and its occupants to the ground in the event of an in-flight emergency. The CAPS contains a parachute (within a deployment bag) located within a fiberglass CAPS enclosure compartment, a solid-propellant rocket contained within a launch tube to deploy the parachute, a pick-up collar assembly and attached Teflon-coated steel cable lanyard and incremental bridle, a rocket activation system that consisted of an activation handle, an activation cable, and a rocket igniter, and a harness assembly, which attached the parachute to the fuselage. Upon deployment by the pilot, a rocket fires from the parachute bay located behind the cabin, knocking the cover panel off the parachute bay in the process. The pickup collar assembly is carried by the rocket for rapid deployment of the parachute. Meteorological Information and Flight PlanConditions at Accident Site: Visual ConditionsCondition of Light: DayObservation Facility, Elevation: KCOS, 6170 ft mslObservation Time: 1354 MDTDistance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical MilesDirection from Accident Site: 274°Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 7000 ft aglTemperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 11°CLowest Ceiling:Visibility: 9 MilesWind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots/ 16 knots, 170°Visibility (RVR):Altimeter Setting: 30.36 inches HgVisibility (RVV):Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No PrecipitationDeparture Point: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (COS)Type of Flight Plan Filed: NoneDestination: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (COS)Type of Clearance: NoneDeparture Time: 1345 MDTType of Airspace: At 1354, the recorded weather at COS was: Wind 170° at 9 knots gusting to 16 knots; visibility 9 statute miles; sky condition few clouds at 7000 feet; temperature 29° C; dew point 11° C; altimeter 30.36 inches of mercury. Wreckage and Impact InformationCrew Injuries: 2 MinorAircraft Damage: SubstantialPassenger Injuries: 1 MinorAircraft Fire: NoneGround Injuries: N/AAircraft Explosion: NoneTotal Injuries: 3 MinorLatitude, Longitude: 38.797778, -104.461389 (est) The airplane was found upright about 11 miles east of COS. Its engine and cowling were bent upward forward of the firewall. The CAPS parachute was found deployed. A recovery company relocated the wreckage. The CF memory chip from the MFD, the engine, and components of the CAPS system, to include the rocket lanyard, incremental bridle, incremental bridle sheath, deployment bag, and retaining harness, were subsequently shipped for additional examinations. However, the rocket, the pickup collar, pickup collar support, and the cable stop sleeves from the pickup collar assembly were not recovered.Examination of the wreckage revealed a witness mark on the lower forward left side of the vertical stabilizer. The hour meter indicated 823.0 hours. The electric fuel pump was able to pump a fluid when electric power was applied. Disassembly of the pump did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented its operation. Tests And ResearchThe engine was shipped to and examined at Continental Motors in Mobile, Alabama. Both front engine mounts were damaged and replaced with exemplar mounts. The engine was mounted on a test stand and placed in a test cell. During the initial engine test run, the engine reached an indicated manifold pressure of 35 inches of mercury at 2,700 RPM. The altitude control valve was connected and the indicated engine performance was within the supplemental type certificate holder's specifications and no anomalies were noted.The CF memory chip from the MFD was shipped to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Recorder Laboratory. The MFD card was received in good condition and a senior recorder specialist downloaded and examined the card's data. The recorder specialist subsequently produced a report that showed the MFD card contained 138 data files, representing data from 69 electrical power cycles. The last 2 files recorded were identified as the accident flight. The data from the accident flight and the previous 11 engine cycles before the accident were plotted. According to the pilot, some preceding flights were to retrieve the airplane after the installation of the supercharger and then to return back to Centennial Airport (APA), near Denver, from COS for a 2-hour inspection. The engine was reported to have operated nominally on the flights to/from APA, as well as on the first flight on the day of the accident. Some of the recorded engine cycles occurred with the airplane on the ground and were only a few minutes in duration. Although review of the engine operation data showed fluctuations in their values, the recorded data did not reveal any anomalies that could explain the engine power loss.The occupants of the other airplane in the formation flight collected GPS and photographic data during the accident airplane's power loss and descent. A review of the images revealed the parachute traveled aftward and below the airplane. The parachute subsequently inflated, the airplane descended downward in a nose low attitude, and impacted terrain in a nose low attitude.The CAPS components were shipped to the NTSB Materials Laboratory. A senior materials engineer examined the components and produced Materials Laboratory Factual Report No. 17-009.In the accident airplane, the cable for the rocket lanyard (included in the pickup collar assembly) had separated.As designed, the rocket lanyard from the pickup collar assembly attach to the incremental bridle. The other end of the incremental bridle is attached to lanyard on the parachute deployment bag. The folded parachute is contained within the deployment bag. When stowed, the retaining harness covers the top of the deployment bag and retains the deployment bag in the airplane parachute bay.During a deployment, the rocket is launched, carrying the pickup collar assembly, incremental bridle, and parachute deployment bag with it. The incremental bridle is positioned between the rocket lanyard and the deployment bag and is designed to absorb the impact associated with the acceleration difference between the rocket and the deployment bag during deployment. As assembled, the middle portion of the incremental bridle is folded to a shorter length, and the folded segment is stitched together. The stitches in the folded segment separate until the velocity of the deployment bag matches the velocity of the rocket. During a typical deployment, some stitches in the incremental bridle remain intact, and a portion of the incremental bridle remains folded. Ten rows of stitches remained intact in the incremental bridle from the accident airplane.The pickup collar assembly includes a zinc-coated steel pickup collar, aluminum pickup collar support, and rocket lanyard. The rocket lanyard consists of two lengths of a single stainless steel cable that connect the pickup collar to the incremental bridle. The cable for the lanyard loops through and around the pickup collar and pickup collar support, and cable eyes at each end are connected to a loop at one end of the incremental bridle. The cable bends 90° at two locations on either side of the pickup collar support, and the center of the cable is routed around the center tube of the support. Cable stop sleeves made of copper are attached to the cable adjacent to the pickup collar. During manufacturing, each pickup collar assembly is proof tested to a tensile load of 1,000 pounds.The submitted cable from the accident airplane for the rocket lanyard was separated into two segments that were arbitrarily labeled segments A and B. Teflon tubes, which cover each leg of the lanyard between the pickup collar and the cable eyes, were also included. The Teflon tube that had covered the segment A lanyard was displaced along the length of the cable segment and was covering the separation. The Teflon tube from segment B was completely separated from the cable. Based on engineering drawings, the calculated total length of the rocket lanyard cable in the pickup collar assembly is 105.1 inches ± 1.0 inch.The rocket lanyard cable was constructed of 7 strands (6 strands wrapped around a core strand) with 7 wires per strand consistent with manufacturer specifications. The lengths of segment A and segment B were measured from the separation to the end of the cable eye. Segment A was 55.38 inches long, and segment B was 50.50 inches long, for a measured total cable length of 105.88 inches, consistent with the cable length calculated from the engineering drawings.The cable segments were closely examined visually and using an optical stereomicroscope for contact damage, deformation, and metal transfer. Individual wires showed necking deformation and chisel-type separation features consistent with overstress separation. A material consistent with red grease was present on the surfaces of the cable, and no evidence of corrosion was observed.Orange metal deposits consistent with copper were observed along the surface of cable segment A between approximately 0.5 inches and 5.3 inches from the separation. The deposits were consistent with material transfer from a copper cable stop sleeve.On segment B, isolated areas of orange metal deposits consistent with copper were observed on two of the wires approximately 0.28 to 0.34 inch from the separation. Further from the separation on segment B, the outer surfaces of wires on two strands were flattened consistent with sliding contact damage at a location between 0.07 to 0.09 inch from the separation. On most of the wires with the contact damage, gray metal was observed at the edge of the flattened surface on the side furthest from the separation.The separation end of segment B was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM examination revealed portions of the area with sliding contact appeared relatively lighter gray than the surrounding material, consistent with the presence of an element with a higher atomic weight. Analysis of the area using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed the bright areas showed a peak indicating the presence of zinc.The gray metal adjacent to the sliding contact areas was also examined using SEM and EDS. The EDS analysis of the gray metal at the edges of the sliding contact damage resulted in spectra consistent with stainless steel, matching the spectra obtained from intact areas of the lanyard cable wires.Two lengths of cables were cut from each rocket lanyard segment to facilitate tension tests to fracture. Four tension specimens were fabricated. The test specimens fractured at peak loads of 905 pounds, 916 pounds, 893 pounds, and 930 pounds. All specimens broke within the crimp for the cable eyes. The specified minimum cable strength as listed in the current Military Standard MIL-DTL-83420N is 920 pounds.The cover flap of the retaining harness has a pocket on its flap exterior. The clear plastic face of the pocket is intended to observe parachute documents. The plastic pocket face from the accident retaining harness was detached from the fabric border on three of the four sides and was discolored and distorted consistent with exposure to heat. No evidence of abrasion was observed on the plastic surfaces.Pulled stitches were observed in the fabric of the retaining harness near the sleeve for the incremental bridle. The sleeve was located on the right side of the retaining harness cover flap. Stitches between the cover flap and the side flap were broken just above the sleeve. Pulled stitches were also observed at the upper end of the sleeve where it was attached to the cover flap.Pull tests were conducted with the exemplar incremental bridle folded and inserted into the sleeve on the retaining harness cover flap in two configurations. In the first pull test, the incremental bridle was inserted so that the rocket lanyard end of the bridle was adjacent to the cover flap. In the second test, the incremental bridle was inserted so that the deployment bag end of the bridle exited the sleeve adjacent to the cover flap. To simulate the shape of a retaining harness installed on a packed parachute, the retaining harness was clamped to a table with wood planks extending into the cover flap cavity, and the cover flap cavity was stuffed with packing paper. For each test configuration, a force gage was attached to the exemplar pickup collar, and the collar was pulled while the restraining harness was held in place by the clamped wood planks. In the test 1 configuration where the lanyard end exited the sleeve adjacent to the cover flap, the incremental bridle pulled out of the sleeve at a load of 9 pounds. In the test 2 configuration where deployment bag end of the bridle exited the sleeve adjacent to the cover flap, the incremental bridle remained within the sleeve up to a load of 90 pounds, at which point the test was interrupted. In Cirrus Design's Packed Parachute Assembly Specification document number 90814, revision J, dated October 7, 2015, the procedure states, "Insert incremental bridle assembly into the pouch of the retaining strap." However, the document does not specify the orientation of the inserted incremental bridle.Cirrus Aircraft completed tension tests to failure on 5 exemplar pickup collar assemblies. Reported peak loads for the assembly tension tests were 2,080 pounds, 1,838 pounds, 1,802 pounds, 1,927 pounds, and 1,925 pounds. Cirrus Aircraft also completed impact load tests to failure on additional exemplar pickup collar assemblies accomplished by dropping a 3,000-pound weight from a 48-inch height. The fractured pickup collar assemblies from 5 tension tests and 2 impact load tests were then sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for examination.In the 5 tension tests, fractures of the rocket lanyard cable from the collar assembly test specimens occurred in 2 or 3 locations. Three of the test assemblies fractured in 2 locations, and the remaining 2 assemblies fractured in 3 locations. The primary fracture in each case occurred in the lanyard cable at the location where the cable bent around the flange on the pickup collar. Secondary fractures in the lanyard cables occurred at the lower side of the sleeve as the sleeve was loaded against the lower end of the pickup collar. The lower ends of the pickup collars in each test assembly were bent downward and outward consistent with the downward loading from contact with the sleeves.In tests resulting in 2 fractures, a secondary fracture occurred in the rocket lanyard cable just below the sleeve opposite from the primary fracture, leaving a 4.7-inch to 5.5-inch segment of cable with the sleeve attached. On the other side of the pickup collar in these tests, the sleeve adjacent to the primary fracture slipped off the fractured end as the sleeve was loaded against the lower end of the pickup collar. In tests resulting in 3 fractures, secondary fractures occurred in the lanyard cable at the lower side of both sleeves, leaving a short segment (0.8-inch to 0.9-inch length) of cable within the sleeve adjacent to the primary fracture and an approximately 5-inch to 5.5-inch length of cable with the other sleeve attached.In the 3 tests with 2 fractures, copper metal transfer was observed adjacent to the primary fracture in the area where the sleeve had originally been installed up to the fracture location. In one of the tests with 2 fractures, copper metal transfer was also observed adjacent to the secondary fracture consistent with sleeve movement prior to cable fracture at the secondary fracture location.In the 2 impact tests, the rocket lanyard cable from the pickup collar assembly fractured in one location. The location of the fracture in each case corresponded to the location of the 90° bend. The two cable segments measured 50.13 inches and 54.88 inches long on one impact test assembly, and the segments measured 50.38 inches and 54.88 inches long on the other impact test assembly. The lower ends of the pickup collars in each test assembly were bent downward and outward consistent with the downward loading from contact with the sleeves. Copper metal transfer was observed on the cable surfaces between the locations of the stop sleeve installation and the fractured end on each cable segment. Additional InformationThe safety representative from Cirrus Design provided correspondence in reference to the investigation, which, in part, stated:Prior to this investigation, and part of the development of our 200 lbs increased gross weight project, we had to develop a larger diameter parachute that in turn required a more powerful rocket motor. The trickle-down effect also required a thicker rocket lanyard, new incremental bridle and a new pick-up collar/collar support. As a result, we developed two larger, more powerful rocket motors (known as the 3,600 and 3,400). Both with electronic (top down) ignition. The 3,600 was developed for new production in the SR22 and SR22T (Generation 5, 200 lbs increase gross weight) aircraft. The 3,400 was later developed for new production in the SR20 (Generation 5, 100 lbs increase gross weight) and as an electronic upgrade for older SR20, SR22 and SR22T (Generation 1-3) aircraft. The 3,600 system, with its larger diameter cable lanyard, redesigned bridle and bridle sheath, redesigned pick-up collar and pick-up collar support, entered production in January 2013. The similar 3,400 system entered production in April 2013. There were approximately 5,330 airplanes built prior to the implementation of electronic rocket ignition on the production line in January 2013. (As a reference, approximately 1,490 electronic rocket ignition aircraft have been produced since then.) As of December 5, 2017, approximately 2,600 aircraft in the field (roughly 50%) had already been converted to electronic rocket ignition. We expect an additional 800 aircraft in the field (roughly 15%) to be converted in 2018. By the end of 2018, over 65% of the older airplanes will have been converted to an electronic rocket ignition. The remaining 35% of older airplanes will be converted as they reach their scheduled ten-year repacks between 2019 and mid-2023. Overall, by the end of 2018, nearly 75% of the entire Cirrus fleet will be equipped with electronic rocket ignition and the host of upgrades that system provides.The safety representative from the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) produced a factual analysis report of images taken from the other formation airplane. The COPA report, in part, indicated the analysis of the images suggests that the accident airplane was approximately 472 ft agl in a photograph taken very shortly after CAPS activation.In the Cirrus Design correspondence, the safety representative, in part, stated that the CAPS was deployed at a low altitude and touchdown under a fully inflated canopy occurred prior to tail drop. The nose low attitude is a designed stage in the deployment sequence. A subsequent stage, referred to as "tail drop," would occur at a time in the deployment sequence that is dependent on the type of reefing line cutters used (8 or 10 second cutters). To achieve tail drop, requires time and/or altitude. On site photos revealed that at some point, after touchdown, the reefing line cutters fired, and the rear harness became unsnubbed.

NTSB Identification: CEN16LA22314 CFR Part 91: General AviationAccident occurred Saturday, June 18, 2016 in ColoradoSprings, COAircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22, registration: N678ZInjuries: 1 Serious, 2 Minor.This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.On June 18, 2016, about 1411 mountain daylight time, a Cirrus Design Corporation SR22 airplane, N678Z, descended under the canopy of the cirrus airframe parachute system (CAPS) and impacted terrain near Colorado Springs, Colorado, following an inflight loss of engine power. The pilot, a pilot rated rear-seated passenger sustained minor injuries and a pilot rated passenger in the right seat sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the impact. The airplane was registered to an individual and was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area of the accident and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated about 1345 from the City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS), near Colorado Springs, Colorado.According to a preliminary statement, the pilot of the accident airplane reported that he was participating in a Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association flying clinic. He departed from COS with two others on board for training in a local practice area located about 15 miles east of COS. The pilot stated that after 20 minutes of air work, at approximately 8,500 feet above mean sea level, the oil pressure reading indicated in the green but lower than normal and he noticed a roughness in the engine. The roughness continued and the airplane was losing power. Air traffic controllers were advised that the flight was headed back to COS with an engine problem. He said that with the power available, the airplane began losing altitude and airspeed. The pilot determined the flight could not make a landing at COS, which was about 11 nautical miles west of the airplane's present position, or Meadow Lake Airport, which was about 6 nautical miles north. He indicated that no suitable landing areas were identified and he pulled the parachute handle. The parachute deployed and the airplane impacted the ground nose low and it stabilized upright on its main landing gear.According to the safety pilot seated in the front right seat of the accident airplane, he flew the accident airplane in the morning during the demonstration phase of training with no issues noted. Circumstances arose where the pilot rated passenger in the rear seat did not have a headset and the rear-seated passenger chose to observe in silence due to time constraints.The safety pilot indicated that his purpose during the flight was to illustrate formation-flying techniques and then help new pilots with safely learning those skills. He reported that after a preflight brief he held an additional briefing emphasizing that the aircraft owner is the pilot in command and is responsible for all emergencies as he, as a safety pilot, is not familiar with the owner's equipment.According to the safety pilot, a 10-second interval departure was used. During the takeoff roll, the rear seated passenger noticed the oil light was on just prior to takeoff when the engine was at idle. However, the light went off during the engine run up so he did not think it was a problem. The safety pilot related that he had observed his oil pressure light on while at idle numerous times with a warm engine.The safety pilot indicated that the takeoff, rendezvous, and initial formation training were normal. As a wingman, you are usually unaware of your location, altitude, or airspeed. He said that your whole world revolves around the lead aircraft where you do not even have time to monitor your engine. The safety pilot said, "If you have never flown as a wingman you just don't understand how much you have to trust your plane while keeping your eyes on lead AT ALL TIMES. I even commented on this during the initial 4-hour brief - if you have a weak engine don't fly. When there is a lead change it takes a moment for you to figure out where you are."The safety pilot reported that this engine failure was extremely subtle. At no time did he notice anything out of the green. The pilot mentioned his oil pressure looked low at 27 psi and he asked what was normal but the pilot did not know. It was still in the green and we looked at the other engine parameters, all in the green. The accident airplane had fallen behind the lead airplane and was five plane lengths away on his right wing. The safety pilot said that a slow "pinging" about every 10 - 15 seconds started and that is when the pilot elected to return to the airport. The formation flew as briefed where the accident airplane took over as the lead airplane. The pilot informed air traffic control of engine problem. An intermediate power setting was set and the engine indications remained in the green. The pinging interval started to decrease and the engine never sputtered.A controller advised the flight of bearings and distances to three airfields. The safety pilot stated that with the remaining altitude, they immediately knew they could not make any of them. He noticed and told the pilot the airspeed was low with an indication of 100 knots while the airplane was at 7,100 feet above mean sea level. The pilot told him that the throttle was full forward and the safety pilot immediately called Mayday, Mayday, Mayday and called for the CAPS deployment.The safety pilot reported that the PIC would pull the CAPS unless incapacitated, as briefed during preflight briefing. According to the safety pilot, the pilot's previous and overriding training habit kicked in so he looked for a place to land. The pilot asked for confirmation, realized that the CAPS was the correct option, and pulled the CAPS handle at the safety pilot's second request. The airplane's altitude was 7,000 feet above mean sea level and its airspeed was 80 knots. The handle came out and down. However, it took a strong second pull to get the rocket to fire. The safety pilot estimated that the CAPS deployment occurred about 800 feet above ground level.The safety pilot said that there was a huge deceleration after the CAPS deployment. There was a moment of weightlessness and then the nose pitched down. The safety pilot, in part, said:All I saw was the ground rushing up rapidly. ... We violently impacted nose down. I screamed in pain. It felt as if I was stabbed in my neck and lower back, all on the left side. It took a few seconds to access my condition. Wiggle fingers and toes, move head, etc. When I realized I was alive I looked over at [the pilot]. It initially looked like he was slumped over to the left but then observed him move with purpose. He stated his door was jammed, grabbed the hammer and started whacking away at the forward part of his door window. [The rear seated passenger] ... told me to try my door. It opened, I crawled out and went to move the seat forward but [the rear seated passenger] had already slithered out so I went down the wing.The safety pilot flying in the other formation airplane, in part, said: I observed N678Z deploy CAPS, and informed Approach that I saw a "good chute". I did not look at the altimeter, but I recall thinking that we were very low. N678Z struck the ground within just a few seconds, in a nose-low attitude that I estimate at about 80 degrees. A large dust cloud was raised; the impact appeared violent to me, and I was not sure that it was survivable by any of the occupants.The passenger in the rear seat of the accident airplane helped the accident pilot egress out of the right side door. The safety pilot reported that first responding people helped deflate and wrap up the chute. After that, his neck started hurting again. The three occupants were subsequently transported to a hospital.The 64-year-old pilot held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land and instrument ratings. He held a flight instructor certificate for single engine airplanes. He also held a third-class medical certificate that was issued on June 1, 2016, with a limitation that he must wear corrective lenses. The pilot reported that he had accumulated 1,289 hours of total flight time and accumulated 30 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.N678Z, a 2002 model Cirrus Design Corporation SR22, serial number 0311, was a four-place single engine low-wing airplane powered by a six-cylinder, Continental Motors model IO-550 engine, that drove a three-bladed Hartzell constant speed propeller. According to airplane logbook entries, an annual inspection was completed on November 13, 2015. The airplane accumulated 787.9 hours of total flight time at the time of that inspection. Another entry indicated that a Forced Aeromotive Technologies, Inc. supercharger was installed on the engine on June 11, 2016.According to technical information from the supercharger manufacturer's website, the supercharger is belt driven off the accessory drive, similar to the alternator. It will run much cooler than a turbocharger and should result in much lower maintenance costs. It will add 7 to 8,000 feet of altitude performance to the Cirrus SR-22. Impeller speed is a function of engine RPM and therefore over speed and bootstrapping are not considerations. There are no MP fluctuations while adjusting the throttle, or mixture. Idle cool down periods are not necessary. Manifold pressure is limited to 29.6 inches at full power.Manifold pressure is maintained automatically by a state of the art electronic boost controller designed for the SR22 by FAT. The controller generally reacts to throttle changes in less than one second. The boost controller is not affected by cold oil temperatures or cold take off conditions and will operate quickly to control boost even down to -50F.The aircraft was fitted with a CAPS designed to recover the aircraft and its occupants to the ground in the event of an in-flight emergency. The CAPS contains a parachute (within a deployment bag) located within a fibreglass CAPS enclosure compartment, a solid-propellant rocket contained within a launch tube to deploy the parachute, a pick-up collar assembly and attached Teflon-coated steel cable lanyard and incremental bridle, a rocket activation system that consisted of an activation handle, an activation cable, and a rocket igniter, and a harness assembly which attached the parachute to the fuselage.At 1354, the recorded weather at COS was: Wind 170 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 16 knots; visibility 9 statute miles; sky condition few clouds at 7000 feet; temperature 29 degrees C; dew point 11 degrees C; altimeter 30.36 inches of mercury.The airplane was found upright about 11 miles east of COS. Its engine and cowling were bent upward forward of the firewall. The CAPS parachute was found deployed. A recovery company relocated the wreckage. The engine will be shipped to its manufacturer for a detailed examination. The memory chip from the avionics display will be shipped to the National Transportation Safety Board Recorder Laboratory to see if it contains data in reference to the accident flight.

The occupants of the other airplane in the formation flight collected GPS and photographic data during the accident airplane's power loss and descent. This data will be reviewed during the subsequent accident investigation.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office tells 11 News three men were taken to the hospital when the small, private plane they were in crashed in a field near Ellicott, east of Colorado Springs.According to a Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, the plane crashed around 2:15 Saturday afternoon.The Cirrus SR22 is equipped with a Airframe Parachute System that the pilot deployed when the plane suffered engine failure.Officials say the pilot radioed the tower at the Colorado Springs Airport, saying that they were having engine troubles and would be trying to make it to the airport, but the pilot realized they would not make it and deployed the parachute.The two passengers were flown to the hospital by helicopter. The pilot was taken by ambulance. There is no word yet on how serious the three men's injuries are.The plane crashed on private ranch land. The FAA will now take over the investigation, but that won't happen on-scene. The plane will be moved to a facility where investigators try to figure out exactly what caused the plane to crash.Story and video: http://www.kktv.com

COLORADO SPRINGS -
Crews are responding to an emergency aircraft landing in a field near Schreiver Air Force Base.A Cirrus SR22 with three people on board landed in a field two miles south of Highway 94 on Peyton Highway Saturday afternoon. The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System deployed after the plane's engine failed during the approach to Colorado Springs airport.All three people on board at the time of the crash have been taken to the hospital. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time.

COLORADO SPRINGS -Emergency crews are responding to an emergency landing outside Schriever Air Force Base.The Colorado Springs Fire Department tweeted on Saturday that a plane had to make an emergency landing.At around 2 p.m., officials announced that a plane had engine failure and was forced to make an emergency landing near Highway 94 and Peyton Highway on Saturday.According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, after the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System deployed it landed on private property.The El Paso County Sheriff's Office stated there were three people on board.No word on injuries at this point.Original article can be found here: http://www.krdo.com

A plane made an emergency landing this afternoon in a field near Schriever Air Force Base, off of Highway 94 and South Peyton Highway.There were three people in the plane, according Natalie Sosa, a spokeswoman for the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. The pilot was taken to the hospital by ambulance with minor injuries, and other two passengers were carried by helicopter to hospitals.No further information was available about the passengers' injuries.Original article can be found here: http://gazette.comEL PASO COUNTY, Colo. – Three people were injured when a plane made an emergency landing in a field near Schriever Air Force Base Saturday afternoon.The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said the male pilot was headed to the Colorado Springs Airport after reporting aircraft failure, but before he could make it there the engine completely shut down. Officials said he then opted to make an emergency landing in a field off Highway 94 and Peyton Highway.The pilot was taken to the hospital by ambulance with minor injuries.Officials said his two male passengers were flown from the scene by Flight for Life and Memorial Star to local hospitals. The extent of their injuries hasn’t been released.The plane was a Cirrus SR22.The FAA and NTSB will be investigating.